Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh field hockey begins preseason practice
8/19/2013 8:26:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh field hockey team began preseason practice this past weekend as it prepares for the 2013 campaign. A young Mountain Hawks' squad features eight freshmen, 10 sophomores, four juniors and three seniors. Lehigh looks to bounce back from an up-and-down 2012 season and advance to its second Patriot League Tournament in the last three years and third in the last five seasons.
Â
"We always wait for preseason to arrive and it comes really quickly," said Lehigh head coach Stacey Blue. "We're definitely excited to get started. We're going to take it one day at a time. We're working on different things to help us with each game, so we're looking forward to the season."
Â
"It feels awesome to be back," said senior Marie Mignogna. "We all worked really hard over the summer. It's good to come back, get into preseason, see how hard everyone worked and use that progress towards our next scrimmage. We're excited."
Â
Despite a 3-14 record last season, the Mountain Hawks were in almost every game. They dropped three one-goal games and six total by two goals or less. Lehigh scored its most goals since 2004 in a dominating 6-3 win over Towson, beat Monmouth for the first time since 2005 and topped Big East foe Georgetown.Â
Â
Mignogna and junior Steph Fratoni are both returning captains who know their role as leaders is important.
Â
"It's really important for us to lead by example," said Fratoni. "We also need to lead with communication, guide the freshmen and take care of our responsibilities."
Â
"These freshmen have made it easy," said Mignogna. "In a few scrimmages we've had so far, it seems like we all play really well together and are getting to know each other."
Â
The Mountain Hawks open their season on Friday, Aug. 30 when they host Fairfield at 6 p.m. Lehigh then heads to Saint Francis (Pa.) to face the Red Flash on Sunday afternoon.
Â
Like Lehigh field hockey on Facebook and follow on Twitter for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
